Micheal Nolan recovering after emergency surgery

Micheal Nolan is being supported in regaining his voice following a heavy fall at Worcester last week.

The rider came to grief aboard Can You Hear Me in a hurdle event at the track on October 15 and was consequently taken to Gloucestershire Royal Hospital for treatment.

Emergency surgery was performed successfully but has had the effect of impairing Nolan’s speech, though his recovery from the injury is otherwise good.

A statement from the Injured Jockeys Fund read: “Following a fall at Worcester Racecourse on Wednesday 15 October, Micheal Nolan went to Gloucestershire Royal Hospital.

“He sustained an unstable fracture of his seventh cervical vertebra at the joint with the first thoracic vertebra and underwent emergency surgery to realign and stabilise the affected vertebrae.

“Following successful surgery, Micheal is currently experiencing a loss of his voice, a known and usually temporary complication associated with operations performed from the front of the neck, and he will be supported by speech and language specialists.

“The medical team are pleased with his early progress and optimistic about his ongoing recovery.

“Micheal and his family are extremely grateful for the excellent care he has received from the staff at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital and the Injured Jockeys Fund, and for the many kind messages of support from the racing community.”